Home Care Packages
Home Care Packages (HCP) are one of the ways that older Australians can access affordable care services to get some help at home. They are designed for those with more complex care needs that go beyond what the Commonwealth Home Support Programme can provide.
Home Care Packages can be an option if you need a coordinated approach to the delivery of your help at home - perhaps because you need help with many everyday tasks, or the care you need is more complex or intensive.
What help can I get?
Depending on the level of Home Care Package you receive, you can get assistance with services such as:
Services that keep me well and independent
| Personal care | Help with showering, self-care, hygiene and grooming |
| Nursing | Wound management or help with medicines |
| Allied health and therapy services | Health and therapy services e.g. podiatry, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy |
| Specialised support | Help for people with a particular condition e.g. vision, dementia |
| Meal preparation and diet | Help with feeding, meal preparation, and using eating utensils |
Services that keep me safe in my home
| Domestic assistance | Help with basic chores around the house |
| Home maintenance | Help with keeping your home and garden safe |
| Home modifications | Changes to your home to improve safety and access e.g. ramps and rails |
| Goods, equipment and assistive technology | Items to help you get around or adapt e.g. walking frame, shower chair |
Services that allow me to interact with my community
| Transport | Community transport, transport to GP |
| Social support | Social activities in a community-based group setting or accompanied activities |
Services not included
There are care and services that you must not use Home Care Package funds for:
- items that would normally be purchased out of general income
- buying food, except as part of enteral feeding requirements
- payment for permanent accommodation, including assistance with home purchase, mortgage payments or rent
- payment of home care fees
- payment of fees or charges for other types of care funded or jointly funded by the Australian Government
- home modifications or assets that are not related to your care needs
- travel and accommodation for holidays
- cost of entertainment activities, such as club memberships and tickets to sporting events
- gambling activities
- payment for services and items covered by the Medicare Benefits Schedule or the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
Who provides these services?
Services are provided by a variety of organisations across Australia. To find out what Home Care Package providers are near you, use our Find a provider tool.
How does it work?
You choose a service provider that is right for you. The government then pays your provider a subsidy to arrange a package of care services to meet your needs.
As everyone’s care needs are different, there are four levels of Home Care Packages with different funding amounts. These cover basic support needs through to high care needs.
The package level assigned to you is based on your needs.
| Package level | Level of care needs |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Basic care needs – approximately $8,800 a year |
| Level 2 | Low care needs – approximately $15,500 a year |
| Level 3 | Intermediate care needs – approximately $33,700 a year |
| Level 4 | High care needs – approximately $51,100 a year |
* These figures are rounded.
You work with your chosen provider to identify your care needs and decide how best to spend your package funding. Your service provider coordinates and can manage your services for you on your behalf.
What will it cost me?
You’re expected to contribute to the cost of your care if you can afford it. Your contribution is made up of three types of fees:
-
Basic daily fee (up to $10.63 from 20 September 2019)
Your provider may ask you to pay a basic daily fee based on your home care package level. -
Income-tested care fee (up to $30.49 from 20 September 2019)
Some people may also have to pay an income-tested care fee. Whether you pay it, and how much of it you pay, is determined through a formal income assessment from the Department of Human Services. If you have to pay this fee, there are annual and lifetime limits on how much you can be asked to pay. -
Additional fees
Any other amount you have agreed to pay for extra care and services that wouldn’t otherwise be covered by your Home Care Package. You can read more about the fees, caps, and how to use your package funds on our Home Care Package costs and fees page.To get an estimate of the fees you may be asked to pay, use our home care fee estimator.
Am I eligible?
Eligibility is based on your care needs as determined through a face-to-face assessment, but you must also be:
- an older person who needs coordinated services to help them stay at home, or
- a younger person with a disability, dementia or other care needs not met through other specialist services.
Your financial situation won’t affect your eligibility. But you will need a financial assessment to work out exactly how much you may be asked to contribute.
If you think you only need a low level of support – perhaps only one or two services – you may not need a Home Care Package. You may be more suited for help at home through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme.
How long will it take to get a Home Care Package?
After you have been assessed as being eligible, how long it takes to get a Home Care Package depends on what package level you are eligible for.
The expected wait time for approved Home Care Package levels to become available is:
| Package level | Approximate wait time |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | 3 - 6 months |
| Level 2 | 12+ months |
| Level 3 | 12+ months |
| Level 4 | 12+ months |
* Last revised 31 May 2019
How urgently someone needs services can also impact how long it may take to receive a Home Care Package. Those with higher or more urgent needs are prioritised to receive services.
Mary's experience
Watch how Mary was able to receive the right aged care services with a Home Care Package.